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Fri, 17 Jul 2026

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 Five headaches Andy Burnham will have to deal with as PM

From defence spending to housing - the next UK leader has a series of challenges to deal with.
1. Housing: The government's target for 1.5 million homes in England has been met, but the rate of house building has slowed down significantly. Burnham wants to deliver "the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period", which will require significant investment. 2. Social and affordable housing: The current commitment is around £4bn per year for social and affordable homes, but this may not be enough to meet demand. Burnham could increase this funding or consider borrowing to fund more public housing. 3. Vocational training: Many young people are not in employment, education, or training (Neets), with one million aged 16-24 not in a job, education, or training. A recent report by Alan Milburn described the Neet rate as an "urgent national crisis". Burnham may consider investing more in vocational training and guaranteed work placements. 4. Education: Burnham wants to shift the focus from university education to support for non-graduates, but it remains to be seen how this will be implemented. 5. Public services: The article also mentions that Burnham has expressed a desire to retain fiscal rules, which suggests that he may prioritize responsible public finances over more spending on certain areas. Some potential questions or areas for investigation could include:
* How will Burnham address the housing shortage and meet his target of delivering "the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period"?
* Will he increase funding for social and affordable homes, and if so, how much?
* What specific policies will he implement to support vocational training and reduce the Neet rate?
* How will Burnham balance his desire to retain fiscal rules with the need to invest in public services? Overall, the article suggests that Burnham will face significant challenges as Prime Minister, particularly in terms of addressing housing shortages and supporting young people's education and employment prospects.